President Leaves for New York to address the UNGA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa, left Sunday (21) evening on a six-day visit to New York during which he will address the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), taking place at the U.N. headquarters in New York City this week.
President Rajapaksa will participate in the general debate of the UNGA and is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, Sept. 24. This is the seventh time the President is attending the global gathering of leaders. President Rajapaksa’s first address to the General Assembly was in 2006.
In addition to taking part in the UNGA, President Rajapaksa is also scheduled to participate in the 2014 Climate Summit and deliver the national statement on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The President will also be chairing a meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, President Rajapaksa is expected to hold bilateral discussions with a number of heads of state from around the world, including leaders from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
During the week in New York City, the President and First Lady will attend a reception hosted by President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama as well as a reception by the U.N. Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon. (HC)
